The Institute Jacques Monod, founded jointly by the CNRS and the University Paris Diderot, and Park Systems are pleased to invite you to a workshop on Advances in Atomic Force Microscopy: Nanomechanical Characterization by using PinPoint™ AFM, which will take place on October, 10 at the “Cell Adhesion and Mechanics” Group, Institute Jacques Monod.

Imaging the distribution of local mechanical properties on the nanoscale can significantly advance research on exciting soft matter materials relevant for biological systems (1,2) or optoelectronic applications (3). Force-distance measurements with atomic force microscopy (AFM) measure adhesion and elasticity by pressing a nanometer-sized tip on the end of a cantilever onto the surface. However, the correlation of mechanical data from force-distance measurements to the local sample morphology additionally requires topographic sample information. PinPointTM nanomechanical imaging with Park Systems AFMs simultaneously acquires topographic and force-distance data within short amounts of time. Therefore, PinPointTM AFM locally resolves the distribution of adhesion and elasticity. Here, we characterized the mechanical properties of collagen fibrils, a structural protein occurring in ligaments and skin. As such, the study of collagen’s mechanical properties can reveal new insights on the elasticity of skin and aging processes. Via PinPointTM AFM we imaged fibrils with diameters ranging from 60 to 600 nm and calculated an average elastic modulus of 1.9 GPa in air. Upon immersion of the collagen in liquid, we observed the softening of the fibrils to 4-12 MPa, agreeing with previous findings (4). This study illustrates the additional value of PinPointTM AFM for the investigation mechanical properties in bioloical samples.

Park Systems enables researchers and engineers around the globe to contribute to impactful science and technological development that helps the humanity to grow and improve life standards. Thanks to the high-level technological know-how and 100% commitment, the professionals at Park provide to and with their customers innovative application solutions for material and life science disciplines. With Park’s high-performance scientific instruments for research and industrial communities we help to explore new phenomena in chemistry, materials, physics, life sciences, semiconductor and data storage industries. Cutting-edge AFM automation and the highest data accuracy enables to become more efficient, more accurate and more productive at your work.